Clinton Swart will start in the midfield for the Cheetahs against the Lions in their Super Rugby opener in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The continued absence of Francois Venter due to injury has prompted coach Franco Smith to name debutant Swart at inside centre with Nico Lee on his outside. Fred Zeilinga and Tian Meyer are the preferred halfback-axis; while Raymond Rhule, Segeal Petersen and Clayton Blommetjies form the back three.
Lock Justin Basson will also make his debut alongside Reniel Hugo, who won four Super Rugby caps last season. Hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld will captain the team with Charles Marais and Johan Coetzee selected as the starting props.
Loose forwards Uzair Cassiem, Oupa Mohoje and Paul Schoeman complete the pack.
Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Paul Schoeman, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Ox Nche, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Niell Jordaan, 21 Zee Mkhabela, 22 Niel Marais, 23 Ryno Benjamin.
Photo: Louis Botha/Gallo Images
